Chapter 5 - The Woman Who Wanted My Daughter’s FutureLoretta did not leave the estate.
Not immediately.
Instead, she changed tactics.
She stopped attacking Isolde directly.
She became quiet.
Too quiet.
Valentino recognized it immediately.
Silence from Loretta was never peace.
It was preparation.
Three days later, a letter arrived.
From Loretta’s attorney.
The accusation was shocking.
Valentino was being accused of emotional manipulation.
The claim:
He was using Isolde’s inheritance to control her life.
Valentino read it twice.
Then laughed.
Not because it was funny.
Because it was unbelievable.
The woman who tried to control his daughter’s money was accusing him of control.
His lawyer looked serious.
“She is trying to shift public perception.”
“She wants people to think I am the problem.”
“Yes.”
Valentino leaned back.
“Then let her.”
His lawyer looked surprised.
“You’re not worried?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because she believes people will believe words.”
He looked at the evidence.
“I have documents.”
The public battle began.
News outlets picked up the story.
Not the truth at first.
Only rumors.
“Moretti Family Conflict Over Inheritance.”
“Billionaire Son Accused of Controlling Daughter’s Fortune.”
Valentino expected it.
Because powerful families had always survived through one weapon.
Narrative.
Whoever controlled the story controlled the people.
But this time, Valentino was prepared.
He released one thing.
Not the entire case.
Only one security recording.
The footage showed Loretta removing Isolde’s brace.
The world saw.
A grandmother.
A child.
A medical device.
And the moment everyone understood:
This was not a business dispute.
This was a child being humiliated.
Public opinion changed overnight.
The comments were brutal.
People who once praised Loretta called her cruel.
People who admired the Moretti name questioned everything.
Loretta was furious.
“You embarrassed me.”
Valentino looked at her.
“No.”
“You destroyed my reputation.”
He shook his head.
“You built it on something that wasn’t true.”
She stared.
“You think you’re better than me?”
“No.”
He paused.
“I think Isolde deserves better than both of us.”
That answer hurt her.
Because she knew.
Then came the discovery that changed everything.
Alexander found another document.
A hidden agreement.
Signed five years earlier.
Before Isolde was born.
It revealed something nobody knew.
Loretta had attempted to change the family succession before.
Not because of Isolde.
Because of Valentino.
She had tried to remove him from leadership.
Why?
Because she believed he was too emotional.
Too compassionate.
Too weak.
Valentino stared at the document.
“She tried to remove me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Alexander answered:
“Because she believed the family should be led by someone colder.”
Valentino laughed quietly.
“So she created someone like herself.”
Alexander said nothing.
Because he knew the truth.
Loretta’s greatest mistake was believing kindness made Valentino weak.
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It had made him patient.
And patience was dangerous when someone finally decided enough was enough.
